Recreational safety

Recreational safety includes ATV/UTV safety, boat and water safety, the Rice County Sheriff's Office Dive Team, snowmobile safety and water patrols.

ATV/UTV/Snowmobile education & enforcement

The Sheriff’s Office has two snowmobiles, one quad-cab UTV with a rescue basket and one ATV.  These vehicles can be used for search and rescue, enforcement details and to assist with educational classes targeting safe operation of these recreational vehicles.

Enjoy the ride: Tips for staying safe while snowmobiling
By Joe Yetzer, Chief Deputy, Rice County Sheriff's Office

Enjoy the ride: Safety tips and reminders for ATV operators
By Capt. Nathan Budin, Rice County Sheriff's Office

Grant reports

• 22-23 Snowmobile Safety Enforcement Grant Program - Participant Completion Report 8/12/23
• 22-23 Off-Highway Vehicle Safety Enforcement Grant Program - Participant Completion Report 8/11/23
• 22-23 Snowmobile Safety Enforcement Grant Program - Participant Completion Report 9/5/22
• 22-23 Off-Highway Vehicle Safety Enforcement Grant Program - Participant Completion Report
• 20-21 Snowmobile Safety Enforcement Grant Program - Participant Completion Report
• 20-21 Off-Highway Vehicle Safety Enforcement Grant Program - Participant Completion Report

Rice County Sheriff's Dive Team

The dive team rescue and recovery duties are carried out by three patrol staff and three part-time special deputies who are certified rescue divers. They are assisted by additional Sheriff’s Office personnel trained as dive team tenders, communications and sonar. Team members are trained for both open water and ice diving operations.

Water Patrol

Water Patrol duties are conducted by patrol deputies, part-time seasonal water patrol staff and resident volunteers who live on or near waterways within Rice County.
The fleet consists of a variety of watercraft to assist with calls at holding ponds, streams, rivers and lakes.